RCMP seeks cause of illnesses suffered by Canadian diplomats in Cuba: official

A coastal view of Havana, Cuba is shown on Sunday, May 24, 2015. A senior Global Affairs official says eight Canadians required followup medical care after diplomats and family members in Cuba suffered unexplained ailments.Desmond Boylan / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

A total of 27 people from 10 diplomatic families underwent testing when some complained of dizziness, nosebleeds or headaches — symptoms that developed amid concern about possible acoustic attacks.

There is no indication anyone has suffered permanent damage, and the eight who needed additional care have since returned to work or school, the official said Wednesday at a media briefing.

The RCMP is leading a government-wide investigation into the illnesses, which remain a mystery, he said.

Canada is working with the United States — many of whose personnel in Havana also took ill — and Cuban authorities to try to solve the puzzle.

The official spoke to the media on condition he not be identified, an effort by Global Affairs to shed light on the odd occurrences without compromising privacy of the families or security in Cuba.

Recently declassified memos show the federal government sent a doctor to Havana to examine diplomats and family members. The June visit by Dr. Jeffrey Chernin of Health Canada revealed symptoms similar to those experienced by U.S. staff in Cuba.

Word of the perplexing phenomenon started percolating publicly during the summer, fuelling theories about the cause of the illnesses. Sonic attacks, contaminated air or water and even persistent noise from crickets have been floated as possibilities.

The United States brought many diplomats home from Havana last year and expelled Cuban representatives from Washington.

In August, Ottawa acknowledged that an unspecified number of Canadians in Cuba had been affected.

The official said Wednesday that three diplomatic families had returned to Canada out of concern about the strange illnesses. Two of these families had experienced symptoms.

But staff levels at the mission in Cuba remain at usual levels, as some new diplomats — fully apprised of the medical issues — have arrived in Havana, the official said.

Most of the cases involving Canadians developed in May, though there were separate incidents in August and December of individuals feeling strong pressure in their ears, he added.